AN/ Just a quick note, if you haven't already taken a quick look, Chapter one has been edited (last section). I took a bit of a leap with John and realised that it wasn't working so I've changed it to my alternative idea. Please bear with me, I promise it will make sense, I'll have it all cleared up before this Installment is done :)

I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Aftermath

Chapter Two

The next Morning

'In the aftermath of the Thanagarian invasion, the world has doubled its search for the Justice Lords, in particular Lord Hawkgirl who is believed to have been at the heart of the Thanagarian occupation of Earth.'

The television was switched to mute by Princess Diana as she continued to prepare her morning coffee, she wasn't interested in listening to anymore interviews surrounding the Invasion...she knew enough, she had been there after all.

Finishing up with her coffee she stirred it and moved it to her lips taking a draught of the hot liquid and setting it back down again. She retrieved the remote and un-muted the television news.

'The Summit of world leaders that had originally been organised a week prior has been rescheduled for tonight in order to discuss a proposed law. It is believed that Mercy Corporations is working closely with the government in order to see it passed.'

Diana sighed; thanks to invasion the populace had even less love for them than they had had previously, if that were possible. Despite their actions in thwarting the Thanagarian's plans, the populace still saw them as a danger that needed to be dealt with, a powerful force that wasn't within their control and a force that needed to be made an example of.

Finally deciding to switch off the television, Diana contemplated her feelings on the current circumstances. She was without a doubt furious at the Thanagarian she had once called her friend and Sister, thanks to her actions and inaction the world hated them even more and their lives were being made much harder than they already were. Adding to that Diana couldn't shake the feeling of being helpless while imprisoned on the fleet ship.

She was tied by her own lasso, a weakness that only her closest friends knew...her family. Except they had been betrayed...again. The Princess glanced in the direction of the cell to her left, she knew that Batman resided there and she was reminded of his betrayal fifteen months ago.

This felt so similar, she felt helpless as she had then when her powers were gone, she hated that she was once again being made to feel powerless and weak, a notion she had found difficult to cope with all those months ago. She knew that a small part of her resented Bruce for stripping them of their powers, but she also respected his decision, it had after all proved to them the wrongness of their choices. However the situation now was different, there was no benefit to be had in their current predicament, no illuminating understanding to show them where they had strayed from the path of righteousness.

She frowned as she heard the Commander's voice, he was speaking with John who resided in the cell to her right, he was remarking that Shayera was still lying to them, that this had been in her plans all along.

Diana had believed her when she had told them that she had stopped communicating with her people and that she believed the only reason they were there, was to pick her up. How wrong she had been to believe her, betrayal seemed so common in their family now...she wondered who might betray them next.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the phone rang, knowing the only people who knew the number she quickly crossed the room and picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Princess?"

"Oh...hello Bruce...is everything okay?" Diana asked taking a seat by the phone knowing that Bruce would only call if there was something important.

"I need you to come to the Manor as soon as possible...take the car and pick up John on your way. I'll see you in an hour."

And he hung up.

Diana sighed and put the phone back into its cradle, she thought for a few moments before picking it back up and dialling another number.


J'onn had spent a number of months before the invasion disguised as a human, he had done so in order to try and understand the people of this planet, a planet which was no longer safe for he or his kind and he knew that in order to survive, he must understand them.

The last few months that he had spent in the guise of a middle aged man had been full of revelations, the biggest and to J'onn the most disturbing discovery had been the realisation of just how fearful the populace was. Many humans were paranoid, others aggressive without cause, and many discussed the Lords in hushed tones as if afraid that someone may overhear them. The biggest topic of conversation had of course been Mercy Corporations and its plight to protect the world from the dangers of those with super powers. Although as he sat in a small simple apartment he knew that the biggest topic of conversation now was the Invasion.

Despite his telepathic capabilities, J'onn could not say for certain whether Shayera had in actual fact betrayed them or whether she had instead been a victim of circumstance. It had become apparent that he was unable to read any of the minds of Thanagarians and that Shayera herself hadn't been an exception, and he hadn't dared to force his way into any of their minds.

As he meditated he wondered more on the topic of Shayera, he had seen her when she had returned with the others to the manor and he had seen the horror in her eyes. She had been the only person whose mind he couldn't read, and two years ago during the reign of the Lords he would have found it untrustworthy. However circumstances had changed, during the time where he was forced to stay with her and Bruce at Wayne Manor, J'onn had learned to read her, read the pitches in her voice and her body language, he had learned to read her in a way that he hadn't with the others. He believed that he knew her and it aided the understanding he was willing to give her, because he could see the broken woman that had stumbled through the door at the Manor.

He was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, because he had with Bruce and so far he hadn't been proven wrong...he had faith in his family, he even had faith in Superman.

A small beeping sound began and J'onn instantly stood and crossed the room to retrieve the small device Bruce Wayne had given him, the device itself a useful means for J'onn to stay in contact while he was disguised amongst the humans.

J'onn lifted the device and spoke into it calmly.

"J'onn here."

"J'onn, I need to see you at the Manor as soon as possible. Diana and John will be on their way shortly."

"Understood," J'onn replied "I will be there soon as possible."

"Good," Bruce answered "And be careful."

J'onn replaced the communicator to the side and began tidying the room not that many items were out of place. Picking up the device once again he morphed his appearance into that of the middle aged man he had been disguised as and slipped the communicator into his pocket.

He could easily fly to the Manor, but in the current climate it would be an unnecessary risk so therefore he would journey there the long way, it was a good job that Gotham wasn't too far away.


Falling asleep on the kitchen floor is never advisable, particularly if you have an injured leg. John winced as he attempted to get up from the floor but found that his knee was stiff and wasn't interested in helping him back to his feet. Grunting a specially selected expletive he managed at last to stand up with the help of the work top and fridge which he grabbed in the process.

Finally on his feet he leant on the work surface with his elbows and rubbed his face. He couldn't break down like he had last night, he needed to stay focused the others were depending on him; he couldn't keep letting his emotions get the better of him.

But he missed her and he knew that through his actions he'd made a terrible mistake.

As he had fallen into a restless slumber he had grown troubled, he had replayed the events of the invasion in his mind, examined everything that had occurred and he was having doubts about his choices. Trying to protect her by pushing her towards her people had been a mistake, it wasn't his choice to make whether she stayed on Earth and perhaps lost her life with them, or went with her people and stayed alive.

"I do love you John Stewart...nothing is ever going to change that, not even Hro Talak."

He thought back to their moments together on the cliff after he had saved her life, he remembered the love he could see in her eyes, the same love marred by hurt when he had told her to leave. He'd tried to convince himself that she didn't care, that Talak spoke the truth, but trying to believe that she had lied, trying to believe that she didn't love him hurt too much.

He knew he needed to see her…to explain why he had said the things he had.

John sighed as the telephone rang and gingerly made his way over to it, using his ring halfway to grab it and pull it towards him.

"Hello?"

There was no answer and he asked again. Once again nothing.

John debated how strange it was as he replaced the phone to its cradle, after all the only two people that ever called were Diana or Bruce. They weren't the sort to call and not reply on the phone. Eventually he shrugged and decided that perhaps he should get Bruce to change the number.

Just as he stepped away the phone rang again.

"For cryin' out loud."

He picked up the phone a second time and snapped a greeting.

"Are you okay, John?"

John was silent as he tried to figure out if he really was okay...he wasn't really sure.

"John?" Diana repeated.

"I'm fine, Diana," He said flatly "Did you call just now?"

"No," She replied "I was calling to tell you that I'll be picking you up in ten minutes...Bruce wants to see us at the Mansion.

"Fine," John agreed reluctantly "I'll be ready...I assume you're bringing the car?"

"Yes...it's safer, see you soon."

And the line went dead.

John tossed the phone back down and began making his way towards his room. Going to the Manor would give him an opportunity to see Shayera, he hoped that he'd be able to explain to her and that she would listen…but he was afraid he might have hurt her too much.


She put the phone down as soon as she heard his voice, even as she sat there staring at the telephone she couldn't work out what had made her decide to call him. What would she have said?

'Sorry John' Maybe that would have been a good start?

'I didn't lie to you' Like he'd believe that after what Hro had told him.

'Hro confined me and wouldn't let me out'

She sighed to herself pushing her hand through her hair...like he would believe anything she said to him now; Hro had made sure that if he couldn't have her...she couldn't have John either.

Tearing her eyes away from the phone that sat in her room, she slowly moved over to the window and looked out. The sun was up which she knew having watched it rise this morning, everything seemed so peaceful out across the ocean that her window looked out upon and she had a desire she hadn't had for the last week...she wanted to fly.

Over the course of the last week she hadn't left her room for any reason, she had her own bathroom so didn't need to leave to shower or use the restroom, Alfred regularly brought food up for her, but as she looked out of the window she decided it was time for her to surface from her self-made enclosure.

As she crossed the room to the door she glanced over her shoulder and looked at the desk, the mace was still there. She hadn't been able to get back to sleep so during the night she had thought about a great many things, the mace included. As she looked at the mace she decided that it was time to start to climb out of the dark place she had formed for herself, it was time to start dealing with her actions and accepting them. After all, she didn't regret them.

Moving over to the mace she gingerly picked it up careful not to look at the blood on the surface. Crossing back to the door she took a deep breath and stepped out of the door, she could hear Alfred downstairs in the kitchen.

Alfred was indeed in the kitchen and was humming along to a tune she didn't recognise, she liked Alfred and had formed a bizarre and unexpected friendship with him. During the time when her wings were unusable, he had aided her greatly in exercising and maintaining them. She felt comfortable with him in a way where she felt that she could talk to him, of course not on matters that she would share with John, but she could discuss some issues with him comfortably without feeling self conscious.

"Miss Hol," Alfred greeted brightly "It is good to see you, may I get you anything?"

She hesitated a moment still cradling her mace "Actually...I just came to clean this."

Alfred looked at the weapon before making his way over to her "Allow me to take care of that miss, I'll prepare you a cup of tea."

She unexpectedly yanked the mace away from his reach and apologised immediately. "It's just...I need to do it myself."

His eyes showed her an understanding she wasn't sure she deserved, she had killed her former lover and destroyed her people's hopes of defeating the Gordanians...did she really deserve understanding?

"I understand, miss," He offered her a smile "I have a number of products that may prove useful for such a job, I will go and fetch them for you."

"Thank-you Alfred." She whispered gratefully as the butler dashed off.

When he returned he had indeed brought a number of products with him.

"I use these regularly on Master Bruce's ancient weapon collection," He explained while setting them out "Although Master Bruce doesn't notice, they do bring a lovely shine."

Shayera smiled weakly and began cleaning her mace, first of all running it under the tap. She focused her eyes on the discoloured water that washed away from the metal and while she stared at it she hadn't expected Alfred's touch on her shoulder.

She flinched a little and Alfred removed his hand.

"It's okay, miss." He assured her with a friendly smile "In time things will improve."

"I don't think so Alfred," She said anxiously "Can you tell me something?"

He nodded and awaited her request.

"Why is Bruce taking care of me? I don't understand."

Alfred smiled a little more "Master Bruce will help those who are in need of it, he only helps those he believes are worthy of it. He must have some faith in you Miss Hol."

She nodded a little as she dried the mace and selected one of the products to treat the metal. As she continued her work Alfred once again spoke to her.

"I have some tasks I must attend to, I will leave you to your work," He placed a cup of tea next to her before grasping her hand reassuringly "I will prepare some hot chocolate for you tonight, miss...it will help you sleep."

She opened her mouth to tell him she was sorry for her restless nights but he shook his head "I have found that it helps, even Master Bruce sleeps better after a mug of hot chocolate."

Shayera closed her mouth again and smiled a little as Alfred left her; in the mean time she continued with her task and had just finished polishing the orb of the mace when Bruce entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Shayera." He greeted her while pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Morning." She replied quietly, hesitating for a moment she continued "Thank-you for giving me somewhere to stay."

Bruce sat down beside her and took a sip of his drink "It isn't safe out there for any of us, least of all you;" he smirked at the cleaning products on the table "They polish up the weapons upstairs rather well."

Shayera smiled remembering what Alfred had told her about Bruce not noticing, but as she looked at the mace overall she noticed that the leather strap hadn't escaped the blood. Grasping it in her fingers she tried to rub the blood off but it had absorbed into the material, she became flustered and more aggressive with it as she tried to get rid of it. She didn't know why but her eyes started to burn with tears and just as she was about to throw the weapon as far away from her as possible...Bruce grabbed her wrist.

"It's okay Shayera..."

"I...I can't get it off." She mumbled still trying to get the blood off of the leather.

Bruce leant forward and extracted the weapon from her trembling hands "I've got some material in the cave...I'll have it replaced with a clean strap...okay?"

She nodded feebly.

Bruce took a deep breath "The others will be here shortly; there are things we need to discuss as a group. Why don't you go and get something to eat while I take care of this?"

Without another word she stood up and left, no doubt heading to the dining room to do exactly as he suggested. She needed the stability of someone telling her what to do, because right now she was lost and didn't know what she should do.

Still in the kitchen Bruce looked at the mace and at the leather strap. He stood up after a few moments and walked to one of the drawers to retrieve a knife and cut the leather away from the handle. Just as he placed the discarded fabric into the trash, Alfred returned.

Bruce looked up and gestured towards the dining room "Make sure she eats something. The others will be here soon."

Alfred nodded "Of course, sir..."

To be Continued.